PULLMAN, Wash. — Pullman Police has a new robot dog joining the department.
MIKE, short for Mission-Integrated Kinetic Energy, is a Unitree Go2 Robot Dog designed to reduce human exposure to dangerous environments.
The department says it works like a ground-based drone with special features suitable for different types of scenarios.
For example, its one-way communication capabilities will allow crisis negotiators to speak with barricaded subjects. MIKE is also able to carry up to 25 pounds, which means it can transport phones, medical supplies or other items to people in unsafe locations.
The robot dog’s video and mapping technology will also allow police to see and plan for environmental conditions or threats beforehand.
Pullman Police said it plans to use MIKE as a de-escalation tool, to help in building searches and to improve officer safety in dangerous situations.
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